http://ajslp.pubs.asha.org/article.aspx?articleid=1762864Investigating the Use of Traditional and Spectral Biofeedback Approaches to Intervention for /r/ MisarticulationPurpose Misarticulation of /r/ is among the most challenging developmental speech errors to remediate. Case studies suggest that visual biofeedback treatment can establish perceptually accurate /r/ in clients who have not responded to traditional treatments. This investigation studied the response of children with persistent /r/ misarticulation to a course of ...2012-08-01T00:00:00Research ArticleTara McAllister Byun

Research Article | August 01, 2012

Investigating the Use of Traditional and Spectral Biofeedback Approaches to Intervention for /r/ Misarticulation

PurposeMisarticulation of /r/ is among the most challenging developmental speech errors to remediate. Case studies suggest that visual biofeedback treatment can establish perceptually accurate /r/ in clients who have not responded to traditional treatments. This investigation studied the response of children with persistent /r/ misarticulation to a course of traditional treatment and a course of biofeedback treatment.

MethodEleven children with /r/ misarticulation completed 10 weeks of individual treatment consisting of 4–6 weeks of traditional treatment followed by 4–6 weeks of biofeedback treatment. Progress was measured by tracking correct /r/ productions within treatment and probing /r/ in words at 3 time points.

ResultsAt the group level, there was no difference in independent judges’ ratings of /r/ sounds produced by the children before and after traditional treatment. However, /r/ sounds produced after biofeedback treatment were significantly more likely to be rated by the judges as perceptually correct. Eight of the 11 children made measurable gains in the accuracy of isolated /r/ produced within treatment, with 4 showing significant generalization to untreated /r/ in words.

ConclusionThis descriptive study shows that treatment incorporating spectral biofeedback can facilitate accurate /r/ production in children with treatment-resistant errors. A follow-up period using traditional intervention methods may be necessary to encourage generalization.

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by an American Speech-Language Hearing Foundation Research Grant for New Investigators to Tara McAllister Byun. The authors also gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the following individuals: for statistical consultation, Haiyan Su; for clinical support, Sarah Granquist; for stimulus rating, Meghan Hemmer, Lacy MacDonald, Amanda Moorehead, Rose Papera, and Beth Rhein; for data collection and analysis, Elizabeth Varall and Elina Izbinsky; and for insightful comments on the study design and/or manuscript, Joseph Attanasio and Dennis Ruscello. We also thank our participants and their families for their cooperation throughout the study.

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